Who Can Become an Au Pair in the USA?
The eligibility requirements, in full
To join the J-1 Au Pair Program through GreatAuPair USA, au pairs must be between the ages of 18 and 26 years old, and must be under 27 when they enter the United States. You also need to be a non-US citizen living in a country GreatAuPair services, have at least 600 hours of childcare experience with non-family members, speak English proficiently, have no criminal background, have completed secondary school, hold a valid driver's license, be in good health and a non-smoker, and be willing to come to the US for one year. If you plan to care for children under two, you need 600 hours of experience with that age group. Every au pair also completes the 32+ hour GreatAuPair Training Academy before arrival.
Read the transcript
So you're curious about becoming a J-1 au pair in the USA — let's talk about who can apply. The J-1 Au Pair Program is designed for young adults from other countries who want to live with an American host family, care for their children, and experience life in the United States. Generally, candidates need to be within a specific age range, have experience caring for children, speak English well enough to communicate in a home setting, pass background checks, and meet health requirements. You also need to be genuinely excited about cultural exchange — because that's truly at the heart of this program. If that sounds like you, GreatAuPair USA can walk you through every eligibility requirement step by step. Head to greataupairusa.com to find out if you qualify and start your journey toward an incredible American adventure.
